2018 Membership

If you are interested in assisting in the Ribble Steam Railway Project, please do join us as a member. We need your support to continue the development of the railway. Without the sterling efforts of committed volunteers our heritage railway and preservation movement simply would not exist.

Our Railway developed from a handful of enthusiasts clubbing together to buy a few industrial engines that were fast disappearing nearly 40 years ago, to what you see today. It is then you realise just what has been achieved by volunteers from virtually nothing. The expansion places ever increasing pressures on the volunteers involved with locomotive, carriage and wagon restoration and maintenance, building and track work, signalling, operating the trains and, of course, a key source of income for the railway – the shop.

There are many volunteer members in the background doing rather less glamorous jobs. Perhaps lighting up an engine at 6am, humping sleepers and rails around, scraping the rust off an old wagon, or cleaning the toilets. It is on these people that the railway is totally dependent for its continued viability. All the volunteers have to be trained, and periodically examined, to ensure the safe operation of the railway. It can be a dangerous environment so the safety of its volunteers and our visitors is paramount. Volunteers are not necessarily from a railway background.

There is a lot fun to be had in volunteering. The railway offers good camaraderie, light hearted banter and plenty of tea drinking. Building friendships is so much easier with a common interest in the world of railways. There is great joy to be had in volunteering. If you have some spare leisure time why not give it a try? Whatever you skills (or not) your local heritage railway needs you!

2018 marks our 13th full year of operation and there are many opportunities - from staffing the shop and cafe, to guarding, firing and driving. Help is also required to keep the fleet operational. See the volunteers page for more information about becoming a working member.

If you're simply wanting to visit the site and enjoy a train ride, your membership also entitles you to half price admissionon most operating days, on production of your membership card. On some special events this facility may be restricted (Not Valid Santa) Life members enjoy free admission at all times, except Santa Special Weekends (this latter restriction applies to all classes of membership).

Members also receive 3 issues of 'The Ribble Pilot Magazine' per year.

Gift Aid

By agreeing for Ribble Steam Railway to claim Gift Aid on my donation I can confirm that I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations it is my responsibility to pay any difference.